HYBE's BELIFT LAB Responds to NewJeans Plagiarism Claims Against ILLIT

BELIFT LAB, the agency behind the group ILLIT and a subsidiary of HYBE, has responded to allegations of plagiarism made by Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of ADOR, regarding NewJeans. BELIFT LAB stated that similarities in choreography are unavoidable, comparing it to Taekwondo patterns where basic movements are predefined. They also claimed that these allegations have caused damage to ILLIT's reputation and advertising opportunities.

During a court hearing, BELIFT LAB's legal representative argued that the accusations have unfairly targeted ILLIT, a newly debuted group, causing significant harm. They dismissed the plagiarism claims as false, emphasizing the nature of choreography in the K-pop industry where similar movements are common.

On the other hand, Min Hee-jin's legal team countered that the similarities between ILLIT and NewJeans are based on objective facts, not baseless accusations. They highlighted that the public raised concerns about plagiarism shortly after ILLIT's debut, which followed NewJeans' by eight months. Min's team also mentioned attempts to resolve the issue internally before resorting to a press conference, alleging that HYBE conducted an illegal audit.

The court noted the distinct concepts of BELIFT LAB and NewJeans but pointed out the need for further evidence regarding the claimed damages and the alleged obstruction of business under criminal law. The case continues as both parties seek to prove their claims in the ongoing legal battle.